Crime Prevention

CRIME PREVENTION/VICTIM SERVICES

This branch focuses on the social order needs of an ethno cultural society through education, increased public awareness strategies and the promotion of inter-agency co-operation and personal contact. The specific needs of crime victims are addressed through the development and implementation of responsive community-based police services. There are over 200 programs to assist communities in preventing crime or reducing the fear of crime. Program efforts include determining service objectives through community consultation and crime analysis and increasing awareness of all aspects of community violence.

INITIATIVES: 

Face it! - Dating Violence is Not Love: Lots of useful information from the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence and the RCMP's Dating Violence Manual. Subjects include: What is Dating Violence? How widespread is the problem? Myths about dating violence; Warning signs; What can you do? Where to go for help; Suggested reading; and Tips on Conflict Resolution.

Street Proofing Indices: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Crime Prevention/Victim Services Branch has constructed a directory of "street proofing" programs in an attempt to better serve the needs of individuals across the country who are interested in accessing child safety programs. We anticipate that this catalogue will increase awareness of these types of programs through the distribution of the index to various agencies. The index is also intended to encourage individuals to take a pro-active role in the education of their children by providing them with easy access to the relevant information.

Street Proofing your Children: Street proofing is a concept designed to assist children in identifying and reacting to suspicious or dangerous circumstances. The key words here are identify and react. Teaching your children to identify a problem is pointless if she or he does not know how to react to it and similarly your child cannot be expected to react if he or she is unable to identify a potential problem situation.

Police Week: Canadian Police Week is dedicated to increasing community awareness and recognition of policing services while strengthening police-community ties. Police Week also encourages community involvement and initiation of activities through media awareness and community sponsored events.

Home Security: In Canada, a burglary occurs about every three minutes. And it usually happens to those who are the least prepared. Although no security system is 100% effective, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk. Use this checklist to assess your vulnerability and to see where your security could be improved.

Safety Tips for Tots: Some tips for parents to use with children who are too young to read.

Protecting Children from Inappropriate Material on the Internet: The Internet is nearly impossible to control, but various initiatives have been developed to help parents control the kind of content to which their children can have access. Here is a list of some of these products, with a brief description, and links to where you can find them.

Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security: Working together we can develop safer communities. Education and awareness of preventive techniques can help you recognize a potential crime situation and allow positive action to be taken that will reduce or remove the risk. This guide is on-line and is available for download.

Victims' Assistance: The RCMP will be placing a higher priority on the expansion of programs as well as increasing training for those volunteers who work with detachment personnel. Members of the RCMP will also receive training to increase awareness of the importance of victims' assistance volunteers.

Sexual Assault Investigations: Regional teams will be created with police and other agency members to receive in-depth training in the area of sexual assault investigations to create an increased effectiveness and response capability in the more complex, difficult investigations. Also, the RCMP Sexual Assault Examination Kit is being reviewed and updated in consultation with community and professional interest groups.

Societal Violence: The RCMP continues to address societal violence through a broad range of issues including criminal and anti-social behavior, spousal abuse, physical and sexual abuse of children, and the abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly and the disabled.

Neighbourhood / Block watch: Essentially, block watch-type programs involve citizens coming together in relatively small groups to share information regarding local crime problems, exchanging crime prevention tips and making plans for the surveillance of the neighbourhood and crime reporting activities (with the assistance of police). Four key elements are involved: residential security improvements, appearance of residence being "lived in", Operation Identification, and neighbours working together.

RCMP/GRC Venturers/Spurs Program: A vocational-style co-ed program which provides 14-17 year-old youth with the opportunity to experience policing as a potential career interest.

RCMP/GRC Rovers/Stetsons Program: Similar to the Venturers/Spurs Program, with participants aged 18-26. The program allows Venturers/Spurs to continue within RCMP-sponsored programs. Rovers/Stetsons can provide advisory and leadership services to the Venturers/Spurs Program.